Pun Fun
After the horse wassettled, Wren looked around her property with fresh eyes.She had the basics—food, shelter, warmth.But there was so much more she could do.
She pulled out her seed collection and started sorting seriously.
Time for fun!What kind of crazy things could she grow?
String of pearls.
The plant grew delicate, trailing, with small pearl-like beads along the stems.When she plucked them, they were light—not real pearls, but pretty.They'd make nice decorations.Maybe jewelry?She gathered several strands and tucked them in her purse.
Lipstick plant.
This one made her laugh.Small tubes grew like berries, each one a different shade.She tried one—perfect color, smooth application, and tasted faintly of flowers.Into the purse with several colors.
She was on a roll now.
Cotton plant—but instead of raw cotton, it produced finished socks.Soft, comfortable, in various sizes.That one would be endlessly useful!
Tea tree—wait, she already had that.No, this was different.She planted it and watched as it grew shirts instead of teapots.T-shirts, specifically.Cotton, comfortable, in neutral colors.Her silk nightgowns were luxurious, but cotton would be welcome on cool nights, and she could pair it with a skirt.
She gathered samples of everything, organizing her trade goods carefully.Silk garments (she blushed, remembering Kenji's horror).Velvet jackets and skirts.Soaps.Bowls.Teacups and saucers.Now socks, t-shirts, cosmetics, pearl strands.She had quite the collection!Hopefully, she’d get a good price for them.She’d never tried barter or sales before.
The sun was lower now, the afternoon stretching into early evening.She'd done enough for today.Tomorrow she'd go to town and learn more about the locals.
She sent word through Walter, who dispatched a messenger squirrel immediately."Tell the Marshall that Wren will visit town tomorrow morning.Approximately eleven o'clock."The road might be enchanted, but there was no sense taking chances.
The squirrel saluted with one tiny paw and scurried off.
Wren spent the evening testing the horse, first just sitting on its back (it held her weight easily), then walking around the property.The horse moved beautifully, responsive to her slightest touch.
She still needed a name."Chestnut?"she tried.The horse flicked its ears."Too obvious?"
By the time she went to bed, she still hadn't decided.Oh, well.The horse didn’t seem to care.As long as it carried her to town, all was well.
Town
